Eurasianet

Central Asia’s two biggest economies still want in on the craze, but with safeguards for their grids.

While Anatoliy Bibilov tried to boost his electoral chances by tying himself more tightly to Russia, analysts say his defeat will still not likely result in any substantial change in relations with Moscow.

Critics are being blocked from Ilham Aliyev’s social media accounts. Some are taking it to court.

Moves to sideline the former president are the result of nationwide political unrest in early January.

The dram has gained about 15 percent against the dollar in recent weeks, bolstered by an influx of Russians to Armenia and a move to buy gas in rubles rather than dollars.

Prosecutors say they have uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to the state.

Amriddin Alovatshoyev’s trial lasted only two hours.

Tashkent has also announced it will not return Afghan aircraft flown by pilots fleeing the Taliban last summer.

Kazakhstan is set to become the new Turkey, according to enthusiastic sales pitches from Russian travel agencies.

Even as opposition mounts to the government’s negotiating strategy with Azerbaijan, it’s unclear whether the protest leaders can offer a credible alternative.